Appearance – The beer is served a deep brown nearly black color with a one finger head of a cream colored foam. The head has a great level of retention, holding on for quite some time before fading to leave tons of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell- The aroma of the brew is heaviest of a roasted malt smell along with strong showing of a grapefruit hop and a little bit of a coffee smell. Some lighter pine and chocolate aromas are there as well with these mixing with some caramel to create a very smooth and delicious hoppy dark aroma.

Taste – The taste begins with a nice blend of sweet, roast, and malt. The taste begins with a moderate roastiness which maintains its strength throughout the taste. The hop upfront is largely of a grapefruit nature with some hints of pine mixed within. The pine grows stronger in intensity as the taste advances and is joined by a little bit of an earthy taste as well. Right from the start there are also some caramel and chocolate flavors, which start out stronger and fade ever so slightly toward the end. With the transitions that occur during the taste, one is left with a rather nicely balanced and roasted flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the thicker and chewier side with a carbonation level that is rather average overall. For the style the thicker body is fantastic for the darker and hoppier flavors of the brew all while the moderate carbonation is perfect for the sweeter flavors and for keeping it easier drinking overall.

Overall – This was a very easy drinking and enjoyably balanced black IPA. One to certainly try if you get the opportunity!!

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a dark mahogany brown, appearing nearly opaque in the glass with a fine one finger light brown head with great retention and lots of lacing. Nice aroma of citrus and lightly piney hops, a bit resiny, light cocoa and dark malt. Flavor follows, with citrus hops with light resiny pine notes, a good lightly toasted dark malt body and some slight fruit notes; hint of coffee. Finishes with well balanced malt, hops and fruit. Good creamy body and mouth feel. This bottle appeared to be a bit old, so I opened it with a bit of trepidation. I do think the hops may be a bit reduced, but even so, it is a quite nice, well balanced and tasty black ale. Classic Cascadian Dark Ale profile and would be exceptional with some more fresh resinous hops. Still enjoyed it as is and will watch for a newer bottle, will definitely buy again.

On tap at brews on Washington in Spokane A: black, finger of tan foam, abysmal. Looks appropriate. Rings of lace. (3.5) S: coffee, citrus, resin, oats, robust porter like nose. A little hollow through the middle with soily, dry finish. (3) T: dry and muddled with coffee tones and nutty suggestions. Hops are bitter with some fruity and resiny notes. The juxtaposition of the profiles is a hare off. (3) M: full bodied with a little too much carb. Slick finish. (2.5) O: needs some tweaking, but a decent effort. (3)